Meet my new little friend. The reason I’m not going anywhere much in June and July is—aside from my needing to stay put and write books—that I’m having partial (or at least I _hope_ it’s partial) knee replacement surgery tomorrow.
I went to see an orthopedic specialist at the behest of Elder Daughter (an OR nurse), when what I thought was chronic tendinitis in my right knee got suddenly worse. She said a cortisone injection might clear tendinitis up entirely, and could certainly make it feel better. Worth a try, eh?
So I went, and they took X-rays of my knees. In comes the doctor, remarking, “You’re awfully young to have so much arthritis.” Then he glanced at my chart and said, “Oh! You’re 58!” (I suppose this is a more respectable age to have so much arthritis.) He then said, without preamble, “You need a partial knee replacement”—adding, somewhat more kindly, “It’s probably hereditary.” (My total lack of cartilage, he meant.)
So we’re doing that. In about eight hours. For the curious (and un-squeamish), here’s a link to the surgical manual for the operation.
I’ll probably be in the hospital only two days, if everything goes well. Will try to write again and describe events, as soon as I feel up to it, but if you want to, you can check in here, on the “Diana’s Knee” thread in my Compuserve Books and Writers Community folder; my assistant Susan will post brief updates there until I’m back.
Many, many thanks to all the kind people who’ve been praying for me and wishing me well—I appreciate it HUGELY!
See you in a couple of days! [g]
Diana, I hope your surgery goes well and that you make a very speedy recovery!
Anna
Good Luck for the surgery Diana, and a speedy recovery
I'm delighted to find your blog! I'll light a candle for your surgery, and I'm sending up prayers.
XX00
So sorry to hear about your knee, but it looks like your in very good hands. Jus the same, I wish you a speedy recovery and God bless you . . .
Best regards,
Jovita
Hope you feel better soon. Take it easy for awhile.
Best of luck for your surgery – get well again soon.
Wishing you a quick recovery!
Hi Diana, I had hip replacement surgery in March and will recommend this process to anyone. YOur pain will be gone, you may take a bit longer to recoop (I was back to work in 5 weeks.!!!) because it is the knee but I wish you well… now you can sit down and finish that book! I love them! Noreen
Oh wow. I will definitely keep you in my prayers. I hope you heal up quick and you end up with a pain free knee.
Wishing you well for your surgery and recovery.
This experience will give you more insight into Claire's expertise. You really shouldn't go to such extremes for your craft though.:)Looking forward to your next blog.
Hope that you are feeling better soon! I have had a several surgical procedures done and here are a few things that I do to help make things easier if you are interested.
1.If you drink plenty of fluids (water-not alcohol sorry) today, that will help you have good veins for the nurse that puts in your IV tomorrow. 2. If you do not like the cold operating room, you can ask the anethesiologist for something so you do not remember being in there. My favorite anethesiologist gives me something to help with that. They also sometimes have warm blankets too.
I woke up as a child having my tonsils removed so I prefer not to be awake in the operating room even if it is prior to the surgery.
3.I always like to have my favorite meal the night before surgery as kind of a positive send off. Something chocolate is always good too.
4. If your family wants to wait on you and take care of you, then let them.
Take care and we'll be sending you good thoughts for a speedy recovery.
Hi, Diana.
I was thinking of you on my drive to work this morning. All the best to you and sending healthy and quick healing vibes. I'm sure you'll deal with this with your usual aplomb!
Hugs!!!!
Judie
All the best! Hope you'll be doing the can can again very soon
Wishing you a speedy recovery Diana. I had a total replacement to my right knee two years ago and had the left knee done just three months ago. My recovery wasn't as speedy this time, but it is coming along, I walk without pain! I was bone on bone with both knees, however I am quite a few years older than you and my family tree is riddled with arthritis
I reread (again) the entire series from Outlander through Echo in these last three months and it was fun to grow old again with Jamie and Clair. I hope I survive long enough to read the last of the series and learn why Jamie's ghost is watching Claire through the window. Oh God, please tell me one is not left without the other…
Am sending good vibes for the surgery and a speedy recovery ML
Hi, Diana, Looking at your photo, no wonder the doctor was amazed you're FIFTY-EIGHT!! Youthful face, gnarly knee. You deal with heredity a lot in your books….it's always a roll of the dice. Best of luck and may your new knee be better than ever. Sylvia
58 really??? I want great genes like yours! (ok not the cartilage issue..hehe) You are beautiful and don't look older than 40-45. Hope your surgery goes well. Praying for you. God Bless.
Yup, Diana,
It seems that after 50 it's just patch, patch, patch! Along with everyone else, I hope that your surgery goes well and that your recovery is speedy and complete. Walking battlefields will feel better without the grinding arthritis.
Best Wishes to you and your family/caregivers.
X O Irene
FIFTY EIGHT?!!?! Goodness. You certainly do not look 58. & I've seen you up close too *g*
Good luck with the surgery & make sure to follow the instructions afterwards. You'll be a new woman in no time.
Ugh. I'm so sorry to hear that, Diana. I had knee surgery at 16 (I was hit by a van that backed into me while I was talking to someone in another vehicle – my left knee left a very nice dent in their car) and my knee doctor told me I'd need a knee replacement in about 10 years. Here I am, 35 and still hanging on to whatever cartilage is still in there. It groans every morning, so I'm sure surgery is just around the corner.
As for hereditary, my knee doctor was my grandmother's (she had both knees replaced) and recognized me being her grandchild because apparently I have her knees. Genetics..aren't they lovely? lol
Here's wishing you a fast and painless recovery!
Hurray for the new knee! How fortunate we are to live in a time when this is possible.
Good luck and a fast recovery!
You will be in my prayers.
Mary